LS Election: Sumalatha Ambareesh to contest only from Mandya

Mysuru, Mar 7 : Sumalatha Ambareesh, Film actor and wife of former Karnataka Minister late M H Ambareesh, today said that she will contest the Lok Sabha polls only from Mandya and not from any other constituency.

Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, she said that a large number of people including Congress workers were extending full support to her candidature. It is a question of existence and prestige for Congress workers as they are not willing to campaign for a candidate from another party.

“I won’t contest from anywhere else. I don’t need any post. State leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have not approached with regard to extending support to me. If they come, I will discuss with them and inform about my decision. I understand the people’s pulse. I have very less time to face the elections,” she added.

Nikhil Gowda, son of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, on Monday, meanwhile, confirmed that he will contest from the Mandya Constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The move follows a day after his grandfather, former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo H D Devegowda, had announced he had no objection to Nikhil Gowda contesting from Mandya.

The JD(S) leadership, dominated by Vokkaligas, treat Mandya as its bastion, as the constituency has a substantial population from the community. (UNI)